The cow-buffaloes are frequently attracted by a ruse of the Indians,
which they call "making a calf." One of the party covers himself with a
buffalo-skin, and another with the skin of a wolf. They then creep on
all-fours within sight of the buffaloes, when the pretended wolf jumps
on the back of the pretended calf, which bellows in imitation of the
real one, crying for assistance.
A white man and an Indian were hunting together. At length a solitary
bull and cow were seen in the distance. After the Indian personating
the calf had bellowed a short time, the cow ran forward, and attempted
to spring towards the hunters; but the bull, seeming to understand the
trick, tried to stop her by running between them. The cow now dodged
and got round him, and ran within ten or fifteen yards of them, with the
bull close at her heels, when both men fired, and brought her down. The
bull instantly stopped short, and bending over her, tried to help her up
with his nose, evincing the most persevering affection for her; nor
could they get rid of him, so as to cut up the cow, without shooting him
also--a cruel reward to the noble animal for his conjugal affection.
This account, which is mentioned by Mr Kane the artist, and that
previously given, show that these animals are capable of great affection
for each other, though in general they leave their wounded comrades to
shift for themselves.